Retail Arbitrage – B&M

Welcome back to the Retail Arbitrage Series! In this blog, we’re covering B&M, a store that’s similar to Home Bargains but can sometimes be trickier to source from. That said, the deals in B&M, especially in Q4, are superb. This is a must visit store for retail arbitrage, and it should absolutely form a core part of your RA route.

B&M is a discount retailer that offers a huge variety of branded products at low prices. It’s a big store with sections covering toys, electronics, DIY, beauty, garden, stationery, and more. While some of the best deals are hidden, the amount you make can be big, especially when you know where to look and hit multiple stores.

About B&M & How it Works

B&M works by offering both advertised and unadvertised deals. You’ll find “WOW Deals” and “Manager’s Specials” throughout the store, many of which are highlighted on their website, in discord groups, and via software like Arbisource or price drop monitors.

The store can feel a bit overwhelming at first. The layout varies between locations, and profitable products aren’t always obvious, which is why it’s a good idea to team up with other sellers in other areas of the country and share leads, creating a small Whatsapp group with some trusted individuals is brilliant for this. Once you’ve cracked the flow of B&M, it becomes a powerhouse for sourcing, especially in Q4 when deals are everywhere.

Where to Find The Clearance Section?

Unlike some supermarkets and other retailers, B&M doesn’t have a major clearance section. Some stores might have a small shelf at the back or near the tills, but it’s usually full of damaged or dead stock which doesn’t sell on Amazon. Instead, discounts and offers are scattered all over the shop. Think of B&M as one big clearance sale, a bit like Home Bargains, you just need to be willing to scan and search.

Where to Find Profitable Items?

Start your B&M trip following the below process:

• Check Arbisource or other sourcings softwares, B&M deals are regularly posted in the B&M section of the software.
• Monitor their website for new WOW Deals or Manager Specials.
• Look at price drop monitors in discord groups for the latest offers.

Toys are king in Q4 but also profitable all year around, look out for:

• 2 for £20 and 3 for £20 toy deals, profit can be made here.
• Source brands like Lego, Barbie, Rainbow, Goo-jit-zu, WWE figures, Sonic, and more.

Skincare and Beauty often do well during the spring/summer months. You’ll also find solid deals on home electronics like kettles, toasters, and hairdryers all year round. In late summer to autumn, B&M clears out garden gear like Bosch lawnmowers and hedge trimmers, you can find some absolute belters here. After Christmas, look for discounted headphones, PlayStation/Xbox accessories, and toys. B&M is really good for picking up end of season lines at a discount.

Best Times Of Year To Source In B&M

• September to January: Focus on toys, think Q4, source what the market wants then clear up on end of line stock.
• September to October: As previously mentioned, a great time for garden clearance items.
• February to September: Focus on electronics, health, and beauty.
• All year: Look out for 2 for £20 and 3 for £20 deals, especially on toys.
• Occasional wins: Chocolate and confectionery can be profitable, but always check expiry dates, correct brand on listing and be cautious sending these to Amazon.

Pros & Cons of B&M

Pros

• Amazing Q4 potential
• Deals are less obvious = less saturation
• Profitable across multiple categories
• Lots of locations nationwide
• Great access when in retail parks, often next to other good stores
• Receipts are clean and acceptable for Amazon IP complaints

Cons

• Harder to source from than other stores
• No invoices, receipts only
• Products and deals can be hard to spot at first
• Store layouts vary – takes getting used to
• City centre locations often have poor signal and parking issues